Power tool with combined chip for wireless communications and power tool control

ABSTRACT

Power tool devices described herein include a motor, an actuator configured to be actuated by a user, a plurality of power switching elements configured to drive the motor, a gate driver coupled to the plurality of power switching elements and configured to control the plurality of power switching elements, a first printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna, and a combined chip. The combined chip is located on the first PCB and is coupled to the actuator, the antenna, and the gate driver. The combined chip includes a memory and an electronic processor configured to determine that the actuator has been actuated, and provide, in response to determining that the actuator has been actuated, a signal to the gate driver, control the signal based on the motor position information, wirelessly transmit power tool device information to an external device, and wirelessly receive configuration information from the external device via the antenna.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/854,656, filed on May 30, 2019, the entire content of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to power tools that communicate withan external device.

SUMMARY

Power tools described herein include a motor, and an actuator configuredto be actuated by a user. The power tools further include a Hall effectsensor configured to monitor motor position information, and a pluralityof power switching elements configured to drive the motor. The powertools further include a gate driver coupled to the plurality of powerswitching elements and configured to control the plurality of powerswitching elements. The power tools further include a printed circuitboard (PCB), and a combined chip located on the PCB and coupled to theactuator, the Hall sensor, and the gate driver. The combined chipincludes a memory, an integrated antenna, and an electronic processor.The electronic processor is configured to determine that the actuatorhas been actuated, and in response to determining that the actuator hasbeen actuated, provide a signal to the gate driver. The gate driver isconfigured to control the plurality of power switching elements based onthe signal. The electronic processor is further configured to receivethe motor position information from the Hall effect sensor, and controlthe signal provided to the gate driver based on the motor positioninformation. The electronic processor is further configured to transmitpower tool device information to an external device via the integratedantenna, and receive configuration information from the external devicevia the integrated antenna. The electronic processor is configured touse the configuration information to determine the signal that isprovided to the gate driver.

In some embodiments, the power tool further includes a second chip thatis separate from the combined chip, and the second chip may include thegate driver.

Methods described herein for operating a power tool device includedetermining, with an electronic processor of the power tool device, thatan actuator of the power tool device has been actuated by a user. Theelectronic processor is included in a combined chip that includes amemory and an integrated antenna. The combined chip is located on afirst printed circuit board (PCB) and coupled to the actuator. Themethods also include providing, with the electronic processor, inresponse to determining that the actuator has been actuated, a signal toa gate driver. The gate driver is configured to control a plurality ofpower switching elements configured to drive a motor of the power tooldevice based on the signal. The methods also include receiving, with theelectronic processor, motor position information of the motor from aHall effect sensor, controlling, with the electronic processor, thesignal provided to the gate driver based on the motor positioninformation, wirelessly transmitting, with the electronic processor,power tool device information to an external device via the integratedantenna, wirelessly receiving, with the electronic processor,configuration information from the external device via the integratedantenna, and controlling, with the electronic processor, the signal thatis provided to the gate driver based on the configuration information.

Power tool devices described herein include a motor, an actuatorconfigured to be actuated by a user, a plurality of power switchingelements configured to drive the motor, a gate driver coupled to theplurality of power switching elements and configured to control theplurality of power switching elements, a first printed circuit board(PCB), an antenna, and a combined chip. The combined chip is located onthe first PCB and is coupled to the actuator, the antenna, and the gatedriver. The combined chip includes a memory and an electronic processorconfigured to determine that the actuator has been actuated, andprovide, in response to determining that the actuator has been actuated,a signal to the gate driver. The gate driver is configured to controlthe plurality of power switching elements based on the signal. Thecombined chip is also configured to determine motor positioninformation, control the signal provided to the gate driver based on themotor position information, wirelessly transmit power tool deviceinformation to an external device via the antenna, and wirelesslyreceive configuration information from the external device via theantenna. The electronic processor is configured to use the configurationinformation to control the signal that is provided to the gate driver.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat the embodiments are not limited in its application to the detailsof the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Theembodiments are capable of being practiced or of being carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology used herein are for the purpose of description and shouldnot be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unlessspecified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,”“supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly andencompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, andcouplings.

In addition, it should be understood that embodiments may includehardware, software, and electronic components or modules that, forpurposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if themajority of the components were implemented solely in hardware. However,one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of thisdetailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment,the electronic-based aspects may be implemented in software (e.g.,stored on non-transitory computer-readable medium) executable by one ormore processing units, such as a microprocessor and/or applicationspecific integrated circuits (“ASICs”). As such, it should be noted thata plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as aplurality of different structural components, may be utilized toimplement the embodiments. For example, “servers,” “computing devices,”“controllers,” “processors,” etc., described in the specification caninclude one or more processing units, one or more computer-readablemedium modules, one or more input/output interfaces, and variousconnections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components.

Relative terminology, such as, for example, “about,” “approximately,”“substantially,” etc., used in connection with a quantity or conditionwould be understood by those of ordinary skill to be inclusive of thestated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., the termincludes at least the degree of error associated with the measurementaccuracy, tolerances [e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.]associated with the particular value, etc.). Such terminology shouldalso be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolutevalues of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4”. The relativeterminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10%,or more) of an indicated value.

It should be understood that although certain drawings illustratehardware and software located within particular devices, thesedepictions are for illustrative purposes only. Functionality describedherein as being performed by one component may be performed by multiplecomponents in a distributed manner. Likewise, functionality performed bymultiple components may be consolidated and performed by a singlecomponent. In some embodiments, the illustrated components may becombined or divided into separate software, firmware and/or hardware.For example, instead of being located within and performed by a singleelectronic processor, logic and processing may be distributed amongmultiple electronic processors. Regardless of how they are combined ordivided, hardware and software components may be located on the samecomputing device or may be distributed among different computing devicesconnected by one or more networks or other suitable communication links.Similarly, a component described as performing particular functionalitymay also perform additional functionality not described herein. Forexample, a device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way isconfigured in at least that way but may also be configured in ways thatare not explicitly listed.

Other aspects of the embodiments will become apparent by considerationof the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an external device of thecommunication system of FIG. 1 according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example control screen of a graphical userinterface (GUI) on a touch screen display of the external device ofFIGS. 1 and 2 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a power tool of the communication system of FIG. 1according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate simplified block diagrams of example priorart power tools.

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the power tool of FIG.4 according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the power tool of FIG.4 according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further block diagram of the power tool of FIGS. 4and 6 according to one example embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate example locations within the power toolof FIGS. 4 and 6 where printed circuit boards (PCBs) may be positioned.

FIG. 10 illustrates a control PCB of the power tool of FIGS. 4 and 6according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by an electronicprocessor of a combined chip of the power tool of FIGS. 4, 6, and 8according to one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system 100. The communication system100 includes power tool devices 102 and an external device 108. Eachpower tool device 102 (e.g., battery powered impact driver 102 a, powertool battery pack 102 b, and mains-powered hammer drill 102 c) and theexternal device 108 can communicate wirelessly while they are within acommunication range of each other. Each power tool device 102 maycommunicate power tool device information such as power tool status,power tool operation statistics, power tool identification, stored powertool usage information, power tool maintenance data, and the like.Therefore, using the external device 108, a user can access stored powertool usage or power tool maintenance data. With this tool data, a usercan determine how the power tool device 102 has been used, whethermaintenance is recommended or has been performed in the past, andidentify malfunctioning components or other reasons for certainperformance issues. The external device 108 can also transmitconfiguration information to the power tool device 102 for power toolconfiguration (e.g., motor control), firmware updates, or to sendcommands (e.g., turn on a work light). The configuration informationfrom the external device 108 may also allow a user to set operationalparameters, safety parameters, select tool modes, and the like for thepower tool device 102. In some embodiments, the power tool devices 102a, 102 b, and 102 c may communicate with each other (e.g., peer to peercommunication to form a mesh network).

The external device 108 may be, for example, a smart phone (asillustrated), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), or another electronic device capable of communicatingwirelessly with the power tool device 102 and providing a userinterface. The external device 108 generates the user interface andallows a user to access and interact with tool information. The externaldevice 108 can receive user inputs to determine operational parameters,enable or disable features, and the like. The user interface of theexternal device 108 provides an easy-to-use interface for the user tocontrol and customize operation of the power tool.

The external device 108 includes a communication interface that iscompatible with a wireless communication interface or module of thepower tool device 102. The communication interface of the externaldevice 108 may include a wireless communication controller (e.g., aBluetooth® module), or a similar component. The external device 108,therefore, grants the user access to data related to the power tooldevice 102, and provides a user interface such that the user caninteract with a processor of the power tool device 102.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , the external device 108 can also sharethe information obtained from the power tool device 102 with a remoteserver 112 connected by a network 114. The remote server 112 may be usedto store the data obtained from the external device 108, provideadditional functionality and services to the user, or a combinationthereof. In one embodiment, storing the information on the remote server112 allows a user to access the information from a plurality ofdifferent locations. In another embodiment, the remote server 112 maycollect information from various users regarding their power tooldevices and provide statistics or statistical measures to the user basedon information obtained from the different power tools. For example, theremote server 112 may provide statistics regarding the experiencedefficiency of the power tool device 102, typical usage of the power tooldevice 102, and other relevant characteristics and/or measures of thepower tool device 102. The network 114 may include various networkingelements (routers, hubs, switches, cellular towers, wired connections,wireless connections, etc.) for connecting to, for example, theInternet, a cellular data network, a local network, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the power tool device 102 may beconfigured to communicate directly with the server 112 through anadditional wireless communication interface or with the same wirelesscommunication interface that the power tool device 102 uses tocommunicate with the external device 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the external device 108 of FIG. 1according to one example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2 , the externaldevice 108 may include an electronic processor 205 (for example, amicroprocessor or another electronic device). The electronic processor205 may include input and output interfaces (not shown) and beelectrically connected to a memory 210, an external wirelesscommunication controller 215, and a touch screen display 220. In someembodiments, the external device 108 may include fewer or additionalcomponents in configurations different from that illustrated in FIG. 2 .For example, in some embodiments, the external device 108 also includesa camera and a location determining component (for example, a globalpositioning system receiver).

The memory 210 includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory(RAM), other non-transitory computer-readable media, or a combinationthereof. The electronic processor 205 is configured to receiveinstructions and data from the memory 210 and execute, among otherthings, the instructions. In particular, the electronic processor 205executes instructions stored in the memory 210 to perform the functionsof the external deice 108 described herein. In some embodiments, thememory 210 stores core application software, tool mode profiles,temporary configuration data, tool interfaces, tool data includingreceived tool identifiers and received tool usage data (e.g., tooloperational data).

The touch screen display 220 allows the external device 108 to outputvisual data to a user and receive user inputs. Although not illustrated,the external device 108 may include further user input devices (e.g.,buttons, dials, toggle switches, and a microphone for voice control) andfurther user outputs (e.g., speakers and tactile feedback elements).Additionally, in some instances, the external device 108 has a displaywithout touch screen input capability and receives user input via otherinput devices, such as buttons, dials, and toggle switches.

The external device 108 communicates wirelessly with other devices(e.g., the power tool devices 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c and the server 112of FIG. 1 ) via the external wireless communication controller 215,e.g., using a Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® protocol. The external wirelesscommunication controller 215 further communicates with the server 112over the network 114. The external wireless communication controller 215includes at least one transceiver to enable wireless communicationsbetween the external device 108 and the power tool 104 and/or the server112 through the network 114. In some instances, the external wirelesscommunication controller 215 includes two separate wirelesscommunication controllers, one for communicating directly with the powertools devices 102 (e.g., using Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® communications) andone for communicating through the network 114 (e.g., using Wi-Fi® orcellular communications).

In some embodiments, the server 112 includes an electronic processor, amemory, and an external wireless communication controller similar to thelike-named components described above with respect to the externaldevice 108. These components may allow the server 112 to communicatewith the external device 108 over the network 114. The communicationlink between the server 112, the network 114, and the external device108 may include various wired and wireless communication pathways,various network components, and various communication protocols.

Returning to the external device 108, the electronic processor 205 maybe configured to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) on the touchscreen display 220 enabling the user to interact with the power tool 104and server 112. In some embodiments, a user may access a repository ofsoftware applications (e.g., an “app store” or “app marketplace”) usingthe external device 108 to locate and download core applicationsoftware, which may be referred to as an “app.” In some embodiments, theapp is obtained using other techniques, such as downloading from awebsite using a web browser on the external device 108. As will becomeapparent from the description below, at least in some embodiments, theapp on the external device 108 provides a user with the ability tocontrol, access, and/or interact with a multitude of different toolfeatures for a multitude of different types of tools.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example control screen 305 of the GUI onthe touch screen display 220 of the external device 108. As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the control screen 305 includes a top portion 305 a anda bottom portion 305 b. In some embodiments, the information shown onthe control screen 305 and the features available to be configured by auser on the control screen 305 depend on a type of the power tool device102. As mentioned above, the external device 108 may receive user inputvia the touch screen display 220 and transmit configuration informationto the power tool device 102 based on the received user input. In otherwords, the user is able to configure parameters of the power tool device102 using the control screen 305. For example, via the control screen305, the user is able to adjust a maximum speed of a motor of the powertool device 102 via a speed text box 310 or a speed slider 315;enable/disable a custom drive control using a toggle 320; alter atrigger ramp up parameter via slider 325 to adjust how quickly the motorramps up to a desired speed upon trigger pull; adjust a work lightduration with slider 330, work light text box 335, and “always on”toggle 340; and adjust a work light intensity via the work lightbrightness options 345. Upon enabling the toggle 320, torque levelcontrol elements of the custom drive control become active and are nolonger greyed-out, such that a user can adjust the torque level using aslider 350 or torque text box 355.

The control screen 305 of FIGS. 3A and 3B is merely an example. In someembodiments, the external device 108 may be configured to display otherconfigurable parameters of the power tool device 102 and send otherconfiguration information to the power tool device 102 in response toreceiving user inputs regarding the other configurable parameters. Forexample, the external device 108 may allow a user to set current orvoltage limits and the like. As another example, the external device 108may display a lockout parameter that allows the user to disable thepower tool device 102 (e.g., prevent the motor from operating and/orprevent a work light from turning on) when a user actuates an actuator(i.e., trigger) to operate the motor and/or turn on the work light. Insome embodiments, the lockout parameter may be set based on time suchthat the power tool device 102 locks out (i.e., is disabled) at a futuretime as set by a user. As another example, the external device 108 maydisplay a geofencing parameter that allows the user to create a geofencesuch that when the power tool device 102 is moved outside of thegeofence, the external device 108 provides a notification indicatingthat the power tool device 102 is outside of the geofence. As yetanother example, the external device 108 may display a tracking featurethat allows the user to determine a location at which the power tooldevice 102 is located.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the control screen 305 may displaypower tool device information received by the external device 108 fromone or more power tool devices 102. For example, the control screen 305may display usage information and/or status information received fromone or more power tool devices 102 by the external device 108 (e.g., anamount of time that the power tool device 102 has been in use,maintenance alerts, battery charge level, geofence boundary violations,and the like). As another example, the control screen 305 may display alist of nearby power tool devices 102 within communication range of theexternal device 108 and identification data (e.g., a number, name,and/or image) associated with each power tool device 102.

Referring back to FIG. 1 , each power tool device 102 may be configuredto perform one or more specific tasks (e.g., drilling, cutting,fastening, pressing, lubricant application, sanding, heating, grinding,bending, forming, impacting, polishing, lighting, etc.). For example, animpact wrench is associated with the task of generating a rotationaloutput (e.g., to drive a bit), while a reciprocating saw is associatedwith the task of generating a reciprocating output motion (e.g., forpushing and pulling a saw blade). As another example, a dedicated worklight is associated with the task of lighting a designated area such asa workspace. The task(s) associated with a particular power tool devicemay also be referred to as the primary function(s) of the power tooldevice. The particular power tool devices 102 illustrated and describedherein (e.g., an impact driver) are merely representative. Otherembodiments of the communication system 100 include a variety of typesof power tool devices 102 (e.g., a power drill, a hammer drill, a pipecutter, a sander, a nailer, a grease gun, etc.).

As an example of a power tool device 102, FIG. 4 illustrates an impactdriver 104 (herein power tool 104). The power tool 104 is representativeof various types of power tools that operate within system 100.Accordingly, the description with respect to the power tool 104 in thesystem 100 is similarly applicable to other types of power tool devicessuch as other power tools, work lights, battery packs (e.g., power tooldevice 102 b of FIG. 1 ), and the like. As shown in FIG. 4 , the powertool 104 includes an upper main body 405, a handle 410, a battery packreceiving portion 415, mode pad 420, an output drive device or mechanism425, an actuator 430 (i.e., trigger), a work light 435, and aforward/reverse selector 440. The housing of the power tool 104 (e.g.,the main body 405 and the handle 410) are composed of a durable andlight-weight plastic material. The drive device 425 may be composed of ametal (e.g., steel). The drive device 425 on the power tool 104 is asocket. However, each power tool 104 may have a different drive device425 specifically designed for the task (or primary function) associatedwith the power tool 104. For example, the drive device for a power drillmay include a bit driver, while the drive device for a pipe cutter mayinclude a blade. The battery pack receiving portion 415 is configured toreceive and couple to the battery pack (e.g., 102 b of FIG. 1 ) thatprovides power to the power tool 104. The battery pack receiving portion415 includes a connecting structure to engage a mechanism that securesthe battery pack and a terminal block to electrically connect thebattery pack to the power tool 104. The mode pad 420 allows a user toselect a mode of the power tool 104 and indicates to the user thecurrently selected mode of the power tool 104. In some embodiments, themodes selectable using the mode pad 420 are received by the power tool104 from the external device 108 in response to user inputs settingdifferent parameters via the control screen 305 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B that illustrate simplified blockdiagrams of example prior art power tools, some prior art power toolsmay include a motor 505, a three-phase inverter 510 (including six powerswitching elements such as field-effect transistors (FETs)), a batterypack 515, a power tool microcontroller 520, a gate driver 525, a powermanager 530 for the gate driver 525, a wireless communicationmicrocontroller 535 (i.e., a Bluetooth® low energy (BLE)microcontroller), and a transceiver 540 (i.e., a BLE transceiver). Thebattery pack 515 may provide power to the power tool microcontroller 520and the BLE microcontroller 535. The power tool microcontroller 520 maycontrol the gate driver 525 (e.g., by providing a pulse width modulation(PWM) signal based on actuation of the actuator 430). In turn, the gatedriver 525 may control the FETs of the three-phase inverter 510 toopen/close to allow/disallow current from the battery pack 515 to beprovided to coils of a stator of the motor 505 to cause a rotor of themotor 505 to rotate. The power manager 530 may monitor one or morecharacteristics of the three-phase inverter 510 and/or the motor 505during operation (e.g., motor current) and may control the gate driver525 based on the monitored characteristics. For example, the powermanager 530 may control the gate driver 525 to prevent the motor 505from operating in response to an over-current condition being detected.The power tool microcontroller 520 may receive configuration information(e.g., as described previously herein) from the external device 108 viathe BLE microcontroller 535 and BLE transceiver 540. Additionally, thepower tool microcontroller 520 may transmit power tool deviceinformation (e.g., as described previously herein) to the externaldevice 108 via the BLE microcontroller 535 and the BLE transceiver 540.

FIG. 5A illustrates a block diagram of a prior art power tool thatincludes the above-described components. As shown in FIG. 5A, the powertool microcontroller 520, the gate driver 525, and the power manager 530of the gate driver 525 are located within a system on chip (SOC) 550(i.e., a single chip/integrated circuit located on, for example, aprinted circuit board (PCB) within the power tool). Also as shown inFIG. 5A, the BLE microcontroller 535 and BLE transceiver 540 are locatedwithin a wireless communication chip 560 (i.e., a BLE chip) that isseparate from the SOC 550. Separate chips 550 and 560 may be used withinthe power tool because some power tools may be manufactured withoutincluding the BLE chip 560 (e.g., see the block diagram of FIG. 5B thatincludes the same components of FIG. 5A with the exception of the BLEchip 560).

However, having separate chips 550 and 560 for the power toolmicrocontroller 520 and the BLE microcontroller 535 and transceiver 540may provide disadvantages within a power tool. For example, power toolsmay have limited space within their housing to accommodate componentssuch as the components shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. When two separate chips550 and 560 are used, these separate chips take up more space inside thepower tool. Furthermore, because the power tool of FIG. 5A includes twoseparate microcontrollers 520 and 535, these microcontrollers 520 and535 include interface code to communicate with each other to transferdata. Along similar lines, the power tool includes wires and/or tracesthat couple the power tool microcontroller 520 to the BLEmicrocontroller 535 to allow for the microcontrollers 520 and 535 tocommunicate with each other. These wires and/or traces also consumespace inside the power tool and provide sources of failure such as arisk of broken wires, damaged traces, and additional ingress risk.

To address and overcome the above-noted disadvantages, FIG. 6illustrates a block diagram of the power tool 104 that includes acombined chip 675 that includes a microcontroller 620 that controls bothpower tool operation (e.g., motor control, light control, etc.) andcommunication between the power tool 104 and the external device 108.The combined chip 675 may also include an integrated transceiver 680(e.g., an integrated BLE transceiver and antenna) that allows themicrocontroller 620 to bidirectionally communicate with the externaldevice 108. In some embodiments, the power tool 104 includes atransceiver and/or antenna that is separate from the combined chip 675(i.e., that is not integrated into the combined chip 675) and that iscoupled to the combined chip 675 to allow the microcontroller 620 tobidirectionally communicate with the external device 108 via thetransceiver. As used herein, the term chip refers to a monolithicintegrated circuit, which includes electronic circuits integrated onto asingle semiconductor material.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the power tool 104 may also include similarcomponents as the power tool of FIG. 5A (e.g., a motor 605, athree-phase inverter 610 including six FETs, a battery pack 615, a gatedriver 625, and a power manager 630 for the gate driver 625). The chipdesign shown in FIG. 6 (in particular, the combined chip 675 thatincludes a single microcontroller 620 that controls both power tooloperation (e.g., motor control, light control, etc.) and communicationbetween the power tool 104 and the external device 108) reduces oreliminates the above-noted disadvantages of the design shown in FIG. 5A.For example, the combined chip 675 consumes less space inside the powertool 104 than the two separate chips 550 and 560 of FIG. 5A.Additionally, the single microcontroller 620 may be configured toperform most or all of the functions that were previously performed bythe two separate microcontrollers 520 and 535 of FIG. 5A. Thus, theinterface between the two separate microcontrollers 520 and 535 of FIG.5A (e.g., wires and/or traces) may be eliminated as well as anyinterface code that was previously required to allow for communicationbetween the two separate microcontrollers 520 and 535. Eliminating wiresand/or traces may further reduce an amount of space inside the housingof the power tool 104 to, for example, allow the power tool 104 to bemore compact and easier to maneuver and/or transport. Eliminatinginterface code may free up additional space in a memory of the powertool 104 such that additional usage data and/or configuration parameterscould be stored, for example. Additionally, eliminating interface codemay allow the power tool 104 to operate more efficiently (e.g., engagein bidirectional communication with the external device 108 morequickly) because less processing resources are necessary for suchcommunication to occur. Furthermore, the inclusion of the combined chip675 in the power tool 104 may simplify a manufacturing process of thepower tool 104 by reducing programming steps during manufacturing thatmay be necessary to configure the two separate microcontrollers 520 and535 of FIG. 5A to be able to communicate with each other.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6 , the gate driver 625 and thepower manager 630 are located within a driver chip 685 that is separatefrom the combined chip 675, unlike the block diagram of the power toolshown in FIG. 5A. While the driver chip 685 is separate from thecombined chip 675 and may include additional wires and/or traces tocouple the combined chip 675 with the driver chip 685, the overalladvantages described above that are gained with the combined toolcontrol and BLE chip 675 outweigh any minor additional wires and/ortraces that couple the combined chip 675 to the driver 685. For example,the advantages provided by the reduction from the two microcontrollers520 and 535 of FIG. 5A to the single microcontroller 620 of FIG. 6outweighs the additional wires and/or traces that couple the combinedchip 675 to the driver 685.

FIG. 7 illustrates another block diagram of the power tool 104 accordingto an alternative chip design. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7 ,the power tool 104 may include similar components as the power tool ofFIG. 6 (e.g., a motor 705, a three-phase inverter 710 including sixFETs, a battery pack 715, a power tool microcontroller 720, a gatedriver 725, a power manager 730 for the gate driver 725, and a BLE chip760 that includes a wireless communication microcontroller 735 (i.e., aBLE microcontroller) and a wireless communication transceiver 740 (i.e.,a BLE transceiver)). As shown in FIG. 7 , the gate driver 725 and thepower manager 730 of the gate driver 725 may be located on a first chip(i.e., a driver chip 785), and the power tool microcontroller 720 may belocated on a second chip (i.e., a power tool microcontroller chip)separate from the first chip. Additionally, the BLE chip 760 may be athird chip that is separate from each of the driver chip 785 and thepower tool microcontroller chip. Because the microcontroller 720 islocated on a separate chip from the driver chip 785, differentmicrocontrollers may be used for different power tool devices 102 asopposed to using the same microcontroller 520 that is integrated intothe SOC 550 of FIG. 5A for different power tool devices 102.

FIG. 8 illustrates a further block diagram of the power tool 104 shownin FIG. 6 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the power tool 104 includes the motor605, the battery pack 615, the gate driver 625, and the combined chip675. In some embodiments, the combined chip 675 may include anelectronic processor 805, a memory 810, and an antenna 815. The powertool 104 may further include power switching elements 820, Hallsensor(s) 825, a battery pack interface 830, and the actuator 430. Thecomponents of the power tool 104 shown in FIG. 8 will be described ingreater detail in the following paragraphs. In some embodiments, themicrocontroller 620 of FIG. 6 includes the electronic processor 805 andthe memory 810 of FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, the transceiver 680 ofFIG. 6 includes the electronic processor 805 and the antenna 815 of FIG.8 . In other words, the electronic processor 805, the memory 810 and theantenna 815 may collectively embody the microcontroller 620 and thetransceiver 680 of FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, the three-phaseinverter 610 of FIG. 6 includes the power switching elements 820 of FIG.8 .

In some embodiments, the motor 605 actuates or drives the drive device425 (see FIG. 4 ) and allows the drive device 425 to perform aparticular task that the power tool 104 is configured to perform. Thebattery pack 615 (a primary power source) couples to the power tool 104and provides electrical power to energize the motor 605. The electronicprocessor 805 monitors a position of the actuator 430 and controls themotor 605 to be energized based on the position of the actuator 430.Generally, when the actuator 430 is depressed, the motor 605 isenergized, and when the actuator 430 is released, the motor 605 isde-energized. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 430 extendspartially down a length of the handle 410 (see FIG. 4 ); however, inother embodiments the actuator 430 extends down the entire length of thehandle 410 or may be positioned elsewhere on the power tool 104. Theactuator 430 is moveably coupled to the handle 410 such that theactuator 430 moves with respect to the tool housing. Such movement isdetectable by an electronic processor 805 of the power tool 104 (seeFIG. 8 ) through, for example, use of a Hall sensor, potentiometer, orthe like. In some instances, a signal based on movement of the actuator430 is binary and indicates either that the actuator 430 is depressed orreleased. In other instances, the signal indicates the position of theactuator 430 with more precision. For example, the signal may be ananalog signal that varies from 0 to 5 volts depending on the extent thatthe actuator 430 is depressed. For example, 0 V output indicates thatthe actuator 430 is released, 1 V output indicates that the actuator 430is 20% depressed, 2 V output indicates that the actuator 430 is 40%depressed, 3 V output indicates that the actuator 430 is 60% depressed 4V output indicates that the actuator 430 is 80% depressed, and 5 Vindicates that the actuator 430 is 100% depressed. The signal based onmovement of the actuator 430 may be analog or digital.

In some embodiments, the battery pack interface 830 is coupled to thecombined chip 675 and the battery pack 615. The battery pack interface830 includes a combination of mechanical (e.g., the battery packreceiving portion 415) and electrical components configured to andoperable for interfacing (e.g., mechanically, electrically, andcommunicatively connecting) the power tool 104 with the battery pack615. The battery pack interface 830 may include and/or be coupled to apower input unit (not shown). The battery pack interface 830 maytransmit the power received from the battery pack 615 to the power inputunit. The power input unit may include active and/or passive components(e.g., voltage step-down controllers, voltage converters, rectifiers,filters, etc.) to regulate or control the power received through thebattery pack interface 830 and to the combined chip 675 and/or the motor605.

In some embodiments, the power switching elements 820 enable theelectronic processor 805 of the combined chip 675 to control theoperation of the motor 605 via the gate driver 625. Generally, when theactuator 430 is depressed, electrical current is supplied from thebattery pack interface 830 to the motor 605, via the power switchingelements 820. When the actuator 430 is not depressed, electrical currentis not supplied from the battery pack interface 830 to the motor 605. Insome embodiments, the amount that the actuator 430 is actuated isrelated to or corresponds to a desired speed of rotation of the motor605. In other embodiments, the amount that the actuator 430 is actuatedis related to or corresponds to a desired torque.

In response to the electronic processor 805 determining that actuator430 has been actuated, the electronic processor 805 provides a controlsignal to the gate driver 625 to activate the power switching elements820 to provide power to the motor 605. The power switching elements 820control the amount of current available to the motor 605 and therebycontrol the speed and torque output of the motor 605. The powerswitching elements 820 may include numerous FETs, bipolar transistors,or other types of electrical switches. For instance, the power switchingelements 820 may include a six-FET bridge that receives pulse-widthmodulated (PWM) signals from the gate driver 625 to drive the motor 605based on the control signal provided to the gate driver 625 from theelectronic processor 805.

In some embodiments, the power tool 104 includes sensors that arecoupled to the electronic processor 805 and that communicate to theelectronic processor 805 various signals indicative of differentparameters of the power tool 104 or the motor 605. The sensors mayinclude Hall sensor(s) 825, current sensor(s) (not shown), among othersensors, such as, for example, one or more voltage sensors, one or moretemperature sensors, and one or more torque sensors. Each Hall sensor825 outputs motor feedback information to the electronic processor 805,such as an indication (e.g., a pulse) when a magnet of the rotor of themotor 605 rotates across the face of that Hall sensor. Based on themotor feedback information from the Hall sensors 825, the electronicprocessor 805 can determine the position, velocity, and acceleration ofthe rotor. In response to the motor feedback information and the signalsfrom sensor(s) indicating the position of the actuator 430, theelectronic processor 805 transmits control signals to the gate driver625 to control the power switching elements 820 to drive the motor 605.For instance, by selectively enabling and disabling the power switchingelements 820, power received via the battery pack interface 830 isselectively applied to stator coils of the motor 605 to cause rotationof its rotor. The motor feedback information is used by the electronicprocessor 805 and/or the gate driver 625 to ensure proper timing ofcontrol signals to the power switching elements 820 and, in someinstances, to provide closed-loop feedback to control the speed of themotor 605 to be at a desired level.

As a more particular example, to drive the motor 605, the electronicprocessor 805 (via the gate driver 625) enables a first high side FETand first low side FET pair (e.g., by providing a voltage at a gateterminal of the FETs) for a first period of time. In response todetermining that the rotor of the motor 605 has rotated based on a pulsefrom the Hall sensors 825, the electronic processor 805 (via the gatedriver 625) disables the first FET pair, and enables a second high sideFET and a second low side FET. In response to determining that the rotorof the motor 605 has rotated based on pulse(s) from the Hall sensors825, the electronic processor 805 (via the gate driver 625) disables thesecond FET pair, and enables a third high side FET and a third low sideFET. This sequence of cyclically enabling pairs of high side and lowside FETs repeats to drive the motor 605. Further, in some embodiments,one or both of the control signals to each FET pair includes pulse widthmodulated (PWM) signals having a duty cycle that is set in proportion tothe amount of trigger pull to thereby control the speed or torque of themotor 605.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the combined chip 675, and in particular theelectronic processor 805, is electrically and/or communicativelyconnected to a variety of components of the power tool 104. In someembodiments, the combined chip 675 includes a plurality of electricaland electronic components that provide power, operational control, andprotection to the components within the combined chip 675 and/or powertool 104. For example, the combined chip 675 includes, among otherthings, the electronic processor 805 (e.g., a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, or another suitable programmable device), the memory810, and input/output units (e.g., input/output pins). The electronicprocessor 805 may include, among other things, a control unit, anarithmetic logic unit (“ALU”), and a plurality of registers. In someembodiments, the combined chip 675 is implemented partially or entirelyon a semiconductor (e.g., a field-programmable gate array [“FPGA”]semiconductor) chip, such as a chip developed through a registertransfer level (“RTL”) design process. Although FIG. 8 shows thecombined chip 675 as including a single electronic processor 805, insome embodiments, the combined chip 675 includes additional electronicprocessors. For example, the combined chip 675 may include a firstelectronic processor configured to control operation of the motor 605 asdescribed above and a second electronic processor configured to managewireless communication to and from the power tool 104 via the antenna815.

The memory 810 includes, for example, a program storage area and a datastorage area. The memory 810 may include combinations of different typesof memory, such as read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory(“RAM”) (e.g., dynamic RAM [“DRAM”], synchronous DRAM [“SDRAM”], etc.),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flashmemory, a hard disk, an SD card, or other suitable magnetic, optical,physical, or electronic memory devices. The electronic processor 805 isconnected to the memory 810 and executes software instructions that arecapable of being stored in a RAM of the memory 810 (e.g., duringexecution), a ROM of the memory 810 (e.g., on a generally permanentbasis), or another non-transitory computer readable medium such asanother memory or a disc. Software included in the implementation of thepower tool 104 can be stored in the memory 810. The software includes,for example, firmware, one or more applications, program data, filters,rules, one or more program modules, and other executable instructions.The electronic processor 805 is configured to retrieve from the memory810 and execute, among other things, instructions related to the controlprocesses and methods described herein. The electronic processor 805 isalso configured to store power tool device information on the memory 810including operational data, information identifying the type of tool, aunique identifier for the particular tool, and other informationrelevant to operating or maintaining the power tool 104. The power tooldevice information, such as current levels, motor speed, motoracceleration, motor direction, number of impacts, may be captured orinferred from data output by the sensors included in the power tool 104.Such power tool device information may then be accessed by a user withthe external device 108. In other constructions, the combined chip 675includes additional, fewer, or different components. For example, thegate driver 625 or functionality implemented by the gate driver 625 maybe included and/or implemented within the combined chip 675 rather thanbeing included in a second chip that is separate from the combined chip675 as shown in FIG. 6 .

In some embodiments, the combined chip 675, and in particular theelectronic processor 805, also acts as a wireless communicationcontroller. As shown in FIG. 8 , the combined chip 675 includes anintegrated antenna 815. The combined chip 675 may also include a radiotransceiver coupled to the antenna 815 and to the electronic processor805 to allow the electronic processor 805 to bidirectionally communicatewith the external device 108 via the antenna 815. In some embodiments,the antenna 815 may not be integrated with the combined chip 675 and maybe located elsewhere in the power tool 104. However, in suchembodiments, the combined chip 675 may still act as the wirelesscommunication controller such that a separate wireless communicationchip is not used within the power tool 104 as explained previouslyherein. For example, the electronic processor 805 may nevertheless actas a wireless transceiver to bidirectionally communicate with theexternal device 108 via an antenna that is not integrated into thecombined chip 675.

In some embodiments, the memory 810 can store instructions to beimplemented by the electronic processor 805 and/or may store datarelated to communications between the power tool 104 and the externaldevice 108 or the like. The electronic processor 805 controls wirelesscommunications between the power tool 104 and the external device 108.For example, the electronic processor 805 buffers incoming and/oroutgoing data and determines the communication protocol and/or settingsto use in wireless communications.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic processor 805 may includea Bluetooth® controller. The Bluetooth® controller communicates with theexternal device 108 employing the Bluetooth® protocol. Therefore, in theillustrated embodiment, the external device 108 and the power tool 104are within a communication range (i.e., in proximity) of each otherwhile they exchange data. In other embodiments, the electronic processor805 communicates using other protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, cellular protocols,a proprietary protocol, etc.) over a different type of wireless network.For example, the electronic processor 805 may be configured tocommunicate via Wi-Fi through a wide area network such as the Internetor a local area network, or to communicate through a piconet (e.g.,using infrared or NFC communications). The communication between thepower tool 104 and the external device 108 may be encrypted to protectthe data exchanged between the power tool 104 and the externaldevice/network 108 from third parties.

The electronic processor 805 may periodically broadcast an advertisementmessage that may be received by an external device 108 in communicationrange of the power tool 104. The advertisement message may includeidentification information regarding the tool identity, remainingcapacity of a battery pack 615 attached to the power tool 104, and otherlimited amount of power tool device information. The advertisementmessage may also identify the product as being from a particularmanufacturer or brand.

When the power tool 104 and the external device 108 are withincommunication range of each other, the electronic processor 805 mayestablish a communication link (e.g., pair) with the external device 108to allow the external device 108 to obtain and export power tool deviceinformation such as tool usage data, maintenance data, mode information,drive device information, and the like from the power tool 104. Theexported information can be used by tool users or owners to log datarelated to a particular power tool 104 or to specific job activities.The exported and logged data can indicate when work was accomplished andthat work was accomplished to specification. The logged data can alsoprovide a chronological record of work that was performed, trackduration of tool usage, and the like. While paired with the externaldevice 108, the electronic processor 805 may also import (i.e., receive)information from the external device 108 into the power tool 104 suchas, for example, configuration information such as operation thresholds,maintenance thresholds, mode configurations, programming for the powertool 104, software updates, and the like.

In some embodiments, the power tool 104 may include fewer or additionalcomponents in configurations different from that illustrated in FIG. 8 .For example, in some embodiments, the power tool 104 includes indicators(e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or a display screen) that arecoupled to the electronic processor 805 and receive control signals fromthe electronic processor 805 to turn on and off or otherwise conveyinformation based on different states of the power tool 104. Forexample, the indicators may be configured to indicate measuredelectrical characteristics of the power tool 104, the status of thepower tool 104, the mode of the power tool 104, and the like. Theindicators may also include elements to convey information to a userthrough audible or tactile outputs. As another example, the power tool104 may include a real-time clock (RTC) configured to increment and keeptime independently of the other power tool components. Having the RTC asan independently powered clock enables time stamping of operational data(stored in memory 810 for later export) and a security feature whereby alockout time is set by a user and the tool is locked-out when the timeof the RTC exceeds the set lockout time. As another example, the powertool 104 may include a location component (for example, a globalpositioning system receiver) used for tracking a location of the powertool 104. As another example, the power tool 104 may not include Hallsensor(s) 825 to monitor rotational position information of the motor605. Rather, the power tool 104 may implement a sensor-less design tomonitor rotational position of the motor 605, for example, by monitoringback electromotive force (EMF) of the motor 605.

In some embodiments, the power tool 104 includes one or more printedcircuit boards (PCBs) that include one or more of the electricalcomponents shown in FIG. 8 . FIGS. 9A-C illustrate example locationswithin the power tool 104 where the PCBs may be positioned. As shown inFIGS. 9A-C, in some embodiments, the power tool 104 includes a Hallsensor PCB located at position 905 in front of the motor 605. In otherembodiments, the Hall sensor PCB may be located behind the motor 605 orthe Hall sensor PCB may not be present within the power tool 104. FIGS.9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate board locations 910, 915, and 920,respectively, which are locations at which a control PCB 1005 (shown inFIG. 10 ) may be located within the power tool 104. For example, asshown in FIG. 9A, in some embodiments, a control PCB (e.g., the controlPCB 1005 of FIG. 10 ) that includes the combined chip 675 is located inthe handle 410 of the power tool 104 at the location 910. As shown inFIG. 9B, in some embodiments, a control PCB (e.g., the control PCB 1005)that includes the combined chip 675 is located above the actuator 430and the handle 410, but below the motor 605 and drive device 425, at thelocation 915. As shown in FIG. 9C, in some embodiments, a control PCB(e.g., the control PCB 1005) that includes the combined chip 675 islocated below the handle 410 and above the battery pack receivingportion 415, at the location 920. In some embodiments, the control PCBat the locations 910, 915, and 920 (e.g., the control PCB 1005) alsoincludes at least one of the gate driver 625 and the power switchingelements 820, in addition to the combined chip 675. In some embodiments,the components explained above as being included on the control PCB 1005may instead be located on the Hall sensor PCB.

FIG. 10 illustrates the control PCB 1005 according to one exampleembodiment. In some embodiments, the control PCB 1005 is approximately70 millimeters long and 29 millimeters wide. In some embodiments, acontroller portion 1010 of the control PCB 1005 includes the combinedchip 675 and is approximately 30 millimeters long and 26 millimeterswide. As shown in FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, the controller portion1010 may include approximately half of the control PCB 1005 or mayinclude less than half of the control PCB 1005. As mentioned above, insome embodiments, the control PCB 1005 includes the gate driver 625 andthe power switching elements 820 in addition to the combined chip 675.The term “approximately” is defined as being close to as understood byone of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment theterm is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, inanother embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. Thesize, shape, and location of components on the control PCB 1005 shown inFIG. 10 is an example. In some embodiments, the size, shape, andlocation of components on the control PCB 1005 may be different.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1100 performed by theelectronic processor 805 of the combined chip 675 according to oneexample embodiment. While a particular order of processing steps,message receptions, and/or message transmissions is indicated in FIG. 11as an example, timing and ordering of such steps, receptions, andtransmissions may vary where appropriate without negating the purposeand advantages of the examples set forth in detail throughout theremainder of this disclosure.

At block 1105, the electronic processor 805 of the combined chip 675receives configuration information from the external device 108 via theintegrated antenna 815. At block 1110, the electronic processor 805determines that the actuator 430 has been actuated. At block 1115, inresponse to determining that the actuator 430 has been actuated, theelectronic processor 805 provides a signal to the gate driver 625, andthe gate driver 625 is configured to control the power switchingelements 820 based on the signal. In some embodiments, the signal isgenerated at least in part based on the configuration informationreceived (e.g., which may include motor control parameters specified bya user via a control screen on the external device 108). At block 1120,the electronic processor 805 receives the motor positional informationfrom the Hall sensor(s) 825. At block 1125, the electronic processor 805controls the signal provided to the gate driver 625 based on the motorpositional information and based on the configuration informationreceived from the external device 108. At block 1130, the electronicprocessor 805 transmits power tool device information to an externaldevice 108 via the integrated antenna 815. As indicated in FIG. 11 , theelectronic processor 805 proceeds back to block 1105 after completingblock 1130 to repeat one or more blocks of the method 1100 (e.g., tocontinue operating the motor 605 in accordance with the actuation of theactuator 430 and the received motor positional information). Exampletechniques to implement each of the blocks in the method 1100 areprovided in further detail in the preceding discussion with respect toFIGS. 1-8 .

As explained previously herein, the above description of the combinedchip 675 may be implemented in other power tool devices such as worklights, battery packs, and the like.

Thus, embodiments described herein provide, among other things, a powertool that communicates with an external device for configuring the powertool and obtaining data from the power tool.

We claim:
 1. A power tool device comprising: a motor; an actuatorconfigured to be actuated by a user; a Hall effect sensor configured tomonitor motor position information; a plurality of power switchingelements configured to drive the motor; a gate driver coupled to theplurality of power switching elements and configured to control theplurality of power switching elements; a first printed circuit board(PCB); a driver chip including the gate driver and a power manager forthe gate driver, wherein the power manager is configured to: monitor acharacteristic of the motor, the plurality of power switching elements,or both the motor and the plurality of power switching elements, andcontrol the gate driver based on the characteristic that is monitored; acombined chip located on the first PCB and coupled to the actuator, theHall effect sensor, and the gate driver, wherein the combined chipincludes a memory, an integrated antenna, and an electronic processorconfigured to: determine that the actuator has been actuated, provide,in response to determining that the actuator has been actuated, a signalto the gate driver, wherein the gate driver is configured to control theplurality of power switching elements based on the signal, receive themotor position information from the Hall effect sensor, control thesignal provided to the gate driver based on the motor positioninformation, wirelessly transmit power tool device information to anexternal device via the integrated antenna, and wirelessly receiveconfiguration information from the external device via the integratedantenna, wherein the electronic processor is configured to use theconfiguration information to control the signal that is provided to thegate driver.
 2. The power tool device of claim 1, further comprising asecond PCB, wherein the Hall effect sensor is located on the second PCB.3. The power tool device of claim 1, wherein the first PCB is locatedbelow the motor and above the actuator.
 4. The power tool device ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of power switching elements are locatedon the first PCB.
 5. The power tool device of claim 1, wherein the powertool device information includes at least one of tool usage data,maintenance data, and mode information; and wherein the configurationinformation includes at least one of a motor speed parameter, a motortorque parameter, and a work light parameter.
 6. A method of operating apower tool device, the method comprising: determining, with anelectronic processor of the power tool device, that an actuator of thepower tool device has been actuated by a user, wherein the electronicprocessor is included in a combined chip that includes a memory and anintegrated antenna, the combined chip being located on a first printedcircuit board (PCB) and coupled to the actuator; providing, with theelectronic processor, in response to determining that the actuator hasbeen actuated, a signal to a gate driver, the gate driver beingconfigured to control a plurality of power switching elements configuredto drive a motor of the power tool device based on the signal, whereinthe gate driver is included in a driver chip that includes a powermanager for the gate driver, the power manager configured to monitor acharacteristic of the motor, the plurality of power switching elements,or both the motor and the plurality of power switching elements, andcontrol the gate driver based on the characteristic that is monitored;receiving, with the electronic processor, motor position information ofthe motor from a Hall effect sensor; controlling, with the electronicprocessor, the signal provided to the gate driver based on the motorposition information; wirelessly transmitting, with the electronicprocessor, power tool device information to an external device via theintegrated antenna; wirelessly receiving, with the electronic processor,configuration information from the external device via the integratedantenna; and controlling, with the electronic processor, the signal thatis provided to the gate driver based on the configuration information.7. The method of claim 6, wherein the power tool device includes asecond PCB, and wherein the Hall sensor is located on the second PCB. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein the first PCB is located below the motorand above the actuator.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pluralityof power switching elements are located on the first PCB.
 10. The methodof claim 6, wherein wirelessly transmitting the power tool deviceinformation includes wirelessly transmitting at least one of tool usagedata, maintenance data, and mode information; and wherein wirelesslyreceiving the configuration information includes wirelessly receiving atleast one of a motor speed parameter, a motor torque parameter, and awork light parameter.
 11. A power tool device comprising: a motor; anactuator configured to be actuated by a user; a plurality of powerswitching elements configured to drive the motor; a gate driver coupledto the plurality of power switching elements and configured to controlthe plurality of power switching elements; a first printed circuit board(PCB); a driver chip including the gate driver and a power manager forthe gate driver, wherein the power manager is configured to: monitor acharacteristic of the motor, the plurality of power switching elements,or both the motor and the plurality of power switching elements, andcontrol the gate driver based on the characteristic that is monitored; acombined chip located on the first PCB and coupled to the actuator andthe gate driver, wherein the combined chip includes a memory, anintegrated antenna, and an electronic processor configured to: determinethat the actuator has been actuated, in response to determining that theactuator has been actuated, provide a signal to the gate driver, whereinthe gate driver is configured to control the plurality of powerswitching elements based on the signal, determine motor positioninformation, control the signal provided to the gate driver based on themotor position information, wirelessly transmit power tool deviceinformation to an external device via the integrated antenna, andwirelessly receive configuration information from the external devicevia the integrated antenna, wherein the electronic processor isconfigured to use the configuration information to control the signalthat is provided to the gate driver.
 12. The power tool device of claim11, wherein the first PCB is located below the motor and above theactuator.
 13. The power tool device of claim 12, wherein the pluralityof power switching elements are located on the first PCB.
 14. The powertool device of claim 11, wherein the power tool device informationincludes at least one of tool usage data, maintenance data, and modeinformation; and wherein the configuration information includes at leastone of a motor speed parameter, a motor torque parameter, and a worklight parameter.